Game-machine terminal apparatus, game machine, and game method

ABSTRACT

A the terminal apparatuses includes: a display unit for screen-displaying various image data; a game process unit for executing a game process for displaying game data on the display unit and performing a game so as to acquire a game value; an image process unit for executing an image process for screen-displaying image data different from the game on the display unit; a game manipulation unit with which a player is allowed to perform a game input based on the game data displayed on the display unit; and a game value storage unit for storing image watching item data associated with an image watching item, in a case where the game process unit executes a game process for acquiring the image watching item during the performing of the game in accordance with a game input of the game manipulation unit, wherein the image process unit is allowed to screen-display the image data on the display unit based on the image watching item data stored in the game value storage unit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a game-machine terminal apparatus forplural-participant type game machine in which plural playersparticipate, a game machine, and a game method.

2. Description of Related Art

Conventionally, a plural-participant type game machine (generally,referred to as a mass game machine) in which plural players participatehas been known. A horse race game machine may be exemplified as the massgame machine. The horse race game machine includes a game-machine mainbody provided with a large-sized main display unit and a plurality ofgame-machine terminal apparatuses which are disposed in the game-machinemain body and provided with a sub display unit. The game-machine mainbody and the game-machine terminal apparatuses are connected to eachother via communication cables, and information required for the gamecan be transmitted and received through the communication cables. Inaddition, each of the game-machine terminal apparatuses includes a seaton which a player sits. The seats are disposed so that the players facethe main display unit.

The mass game machine having the aforementioned construction displaysracing horses and odds thereof on the main display unit and the subdisplay unit. When the players sitting on the game-machine terminalapparatus select racing horses and bet medals by performing severalmanipulations while seeing the sub display unit, the horse race startson the main display unit, and the medals are paid to the playersaccording to a result of the horse race (for example, see JapaneseUnexamined Publication Application Heisei 8-206355).

However, since many games performed in the mass game machine areperformed as such a game theme as a horse race, it is considered thatthe players perform the game in a long time. For this reason, the seatson which the players sit are designed so that the players are not tiredfrom sitting in a long time. However, sometimes, if the players performthe game in a long time, the players want to make refreshment. In thiscase, the players may refresh themselves with a method of temporarilystopping the game and taking a rest, but a method of making arestoration in a shorter time than the aforementioned method ispreferred in that the player can be returned to the game quickly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is contrived in order to solve the aforementionedproblems, and an advantage of the present invention is to provide agame-machine terminal apparatus, a game machine, and a game methodcapable of making refreshment in a shorter time than a method oftemporarily stopping a game and taking a rest.

In an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a game-machineterminal apparatus comprising: a display unit for screen-displayingvarious image data; a game process unit for executing a game process fordisplaying game data on the display unit and performing a game duringwhich a game value is acquirable; an image process unit for executing animage process for screen-displaying image data different from the gameon the display unit; a process selection unit for selecting the gameprocess of the game process unit and the image process of the imageprocess unit; a game manipulation unit with which a player is allowed toperform a game input based on the game data displayed on the displayunit; and a storage unit for storing image watching item data associatedwith an image watching item, in a case where the game process unitexecutes a game process for acquiring the image watching item during theperforming of the game in accordance with a game input of the gamemanipulation unit, wherein the image process unit is allowed toscreen-display the image data on the display unit based on the imagewatching item data stored in the storage unit.

According to the construction, by selecting the image process with theprocess selection unit, it is possible to screen-display on the displayunit the image data different from the game data screen-displayed by thegame process unit. By doing so, for example, in a case where the playerperforming the game in a long time wants to make refreshment, the playersees the image different from the game, so that the player may be ableto make refreshment in a shorter time than a conventional method oftemporarily stopping the game and taking a rest. In addition, since theimage may be able to be seen based on the image watching item acquiredduring the performing of the game, it is possible to further increasepleasure of the game.

In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided agame-machine terminal apparatus comprising: a display unit forscreen-displaying various image data; a game process unit for executinga game process for displaying game data on the display unit andperforming a game during which a game value is acquirable; an imageprocess unit for executing an image process for screen-displaying imagedata different from the game on the display unit; a process selectionunit for selecting the game process of the game process unit and theimage process of the image process unit; a game manipulation unit withwhich a player is allowed to perform a game input based on the game datadisplayed on the display unit; and a storage unit for storing point dataassociated with a point in a case where the game process unit executes agame process for acquiring the point during the performing of the gamein accordance with a game input of the game manipulation unit, whereinthe image process unit is allowed to screen-display the image data onthe display unit based on the point data stored in the storage unit.

According to the construction, by selecting the image process with theprocess selection unit, it is possible to screen-display on the displayunit the image data different from the game data screen-displayed by thegame process unit. By doing so, for example, in a case where the playerperforming the game in a long time wants to make refreshment, the playersees the image different from the game, so that the player may be ableto make refreshment in a shorter time than a conventional method oftemporarily stopping the game and taking a rest. In addition, since theimage may be able to be seen based on the point acquired during theperforming of the game, it is possible to further increase pleasure ofthe game.

In addition, the game-machine terminal apparatus may further comprises agame counter for counting a game time in which the game process iscontinuously executed and a rest alarm unit for outputting rest data ina case where the game time is a predetermined time. According to theconstruction, it may be possible to urge the player to take a restbefore the player is severely tired.

In addition, in the game-machine terminal apparatus, the rest alarm unitoutputs the rest data to the display unit and displays, through thescreen display of the display unit, rest image data for urging theplayer to take a rest.

In addition, in the game-machine terminal apparatus, the game processunit may use as the game value an acquired point represented by numeralsand an acquired item represented by designs, and display the game valuedata of the acquired point and the acquired item on the display unit.According to the construction, it may be possible to easily perceive thegame value acquired during the performing the game by seeing the screendisplay.

In addition, in the game-machine terminal apparatus, the processselection unit may select the image process of the image process unit bya pushing manipulation on a display region of the game value datadisplayed on the display unit. According to the construction, since theimage process can be selected by the pushing manipulation on the displayregion of the game value data, it may be possible to intuitively knowthat the image can be seen by using the game value.

In addition, the game-machine terminal apparatus may further comprise aprogram display unit for list-displaying a plurality of program data asimage process execution objects on the display unit in a case where theimage process is selected by the process selection unit, and a programselection unit for enabling the player to select one of a plurality ofthe list-displayed program data and causing the image process unit toexecute the image process corresponding to the selected program data.According to the construction, since a probability that the programsuitable for preference of the player can be seen is high, it may bepossible to restore the player from fatigue in a short time.

In addition, the game-machine terminal apparatus may further comprise afood display unit for list-displaying a plurality of food data on thedisplay unit in a case where the image process is selected by theprocess selection unit and a food selection unit for enabling the playerto select one of a plurality of the list-displayed food data and placingan order of a food corresponding to the selected food data. According tothe construction, since an order of a food can be placed, it may bepossible to restore the player from fatigue in a short time.

In still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided agame machine comprising: a plurality of game-machine terminalapparatuses having the aforementioned construction; and a game-machinemain body which can communicate data with the game-machine terminalapparatuses and manages operations of the game-machine terminalapparatuses in order that the game processes executed in the respectivegame-machine terminal apparatuses can be interlocked over all thegame-machine terminal apparatuses. According to the construction, sincethe game process may be able to be performed with a plurality of thegame-machine terminal apparatuses interlocked, it is possible to performthe game while specific game-machine terminal apparatuses cooperate withor compete against each other.

In addition, in the game machine, the game-machine main body maycomprise a main display unit for screen-displaying operational states ofall the game-machine terminal apparatuses at a position which can beseen from all the game-machine terminal apparatuses. According to theconstruction, in a case where the game process is performed with theplurality of the game-machine terminal apparatuses interlocked, it maybe possible to check the operational states of other game-machineterminal apparatuses by using the main display unit.

In further still another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a game process step of screen-displaying game data andperforming a game during which a game value is acquirable; an imageprocess step of screen-displaying image data different from the game; aprocess selection step of selecting the game process step and the imageprocess step; and an image process selection step of screen-displayingthe image data based on image watching item data associated with animage watching item acquired during the performing of the game.

According to the construction, for example, in a case where the playerperforming the game in a long time wants to make refreshment, the playersees the image different from the game, so that the player may be ableto make refreshment in a shorter time than a conventional method oftemporarily stopping the game and taking a rest. In addition, since theimage can be seen based on the image watching item acquired during theperforming of the game, it may be possible to further increase pleasureof the game.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other end further objects, features and advantages of the invention willappear more fully from the following description taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an outward appearance of a gamemachine;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an outward appearance of a terminalapparatus;

FIG. 3 is a partial enlarged perspective view showing a running memberof the terminal apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a seat mode of a seat of theterminal apparatus;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a bed mode of the seat of theterminal apparatus;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state of a sub monitor of theterminal apparatus, which is ejected from a receiving space thereof;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a state of the sub monitor of theterminal apparatus, of which a display screen faces a player;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a state of the sub monitor of theterminal apparatus, of which position is adjusted;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a whole construction of a gamemachine;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a construction of a main control unitin a main body of the game machine;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a construction of a sub control unitof the game machine;

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a terminal apparatus;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an outward appearance of a gamemachine;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing an outward appearance of a gamemachine;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of players in a game program;

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a selection process routine;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart of a first selection process routine;

FIG. 18 is a flowchart of an image display process routine;

FIG. 19 is a flowchart of a rest process routine;

FIG. 20 is a flowchart of a second selection process routine;

FIG. 21 is a view for explaining a game screen;

FIG. 22 is a view for explaining a selection screen;

FIG. 23 is a view for explaining a meal selection screen;

FIG. 24 is a view for explaining a beverage selection screen;

FIG. 25 is a view for explaining an image screen;

FIG. 26 is a view for explaining a game screen; and

FIG. 27 is a view for explaining a rest alarm screen.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(Whole Construction of Game Machine)

Now, embodiments of the present invention will be described withreference to FIGS. 1 to 27.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an outward appearance of a gamemachine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The gamemachine 1 is a plural-participant type mass game machine and includes aplurality of terminal apparatuses 30 (game-machine terminal apparatuses)in which players perform a game and a game-machine main body 20 whichcan communicate data with the terminal apparatuses 30 and managesoperations of the terminal apparatuses 30 in order that the gameprocesses executed in the respective game-machine terminal apparatuses30 can be interlocked over all the game-machine terminal apparatuses 30.

The game-machine main body 20 includes a flat-shaped floor member 2having a rectangular shape in a plan view, a main display unit 22disposed along one side of the floor member 2, and speaker devices 23disposed at four corners of the floor member 2, and a main control unit80 for controlling the main display unit 22 and the speaker devices 23.

A play area 21 having a rectangular shape is defined on an upper surfaceof the floor member 2. The play area 21 is divided into a plurality ofsub areas. More specifically, the play area 21 is divided into a cityarea 212A, an ocean area 212B, and a forest area 212C. In addition, ICtags 211 in a grid pattern are buried in the floor member 2. The IC tags211 store position information in the play area 21 and informs theterminal apparatuses 30 of the position information as a currentposition.

The main display unit 22 is a large-sized projector apparatus fordisplaying an image based on image data output from the main controlunit 80. The main display unit 22 is disposed at a position which can beseen from all the terminal apparatuses 30 to screen-display operationalstates of the all the terminal apparatuses 30. By doing so, when a gameprocess is performed with a plurality of the terminal apparatuses 30interlocked, each of the terminal apparatuses 30 can check theoperational states of the other terminal apparatuses 30 by using themain display unit 22. In addition, the main display unit 22 is notlimited thereto, but a large-sized monitor may be employed.

The main control unit 80 can communicate with the terminal apparatuses30 via a wireless LAN in a bi-directional manner. The main control unit80 executes a predetermined game program and communicates with theterminal apparatuses 30 in the bi-directional manner, and comes toprovide a common cyber space to the players of the terminal apparatuses30.

The terminal apparatuses 30 are put to be able to move on the floormember 2. In addition, before the starting of the game, the terminalapparatuses 30 are disposed to face the main display unit 22. When thegame starts, according to the instruction of the main control unit 80 orby manipulation of the player, the terminal apparatuses 30 move on theplay area 21.

(Mechanical Construction of Terminal Apparatuses 30)

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an outward appearance of theterminal apparatus 30. The terminal apparatus 30 includes a seat 31 onwhich the player sit and a running member 32 for moving the terminalapparatus 30. FIG. 3 is a partial enlarged perspective view showing therunning member 32. The running member 32 has four running tires 321, adriving control device 322 for rotating the running tires 321, adirection control device 323 for controlling directions of the runningtires 321, and a rechargeable battery (not shown) for supplying a powerto the driving control device 322 and the direction control device 323.In addition, an IC tag sensing unit 324 is disposed at a lower portionof the driving control device 322. The IC tag sensing unit 324 senses ICtags 211 buried in the play area 21. In addition, the rechargeablebattery may be charged by using an external power supply. In addition,the rechargeable battery may be charged with a magnetically inducedelectromotive force due to a magnetic field generated by a magneticfield generating device built in the floor member 2.

In addition, as shown in 2, the seat 31 has a seat main body 50, a sideunit 60 disposed along one side of the seat main body 50, and a seatshell 70 which surrounds three sides of the seat main body 50 excludingthe other side of the seat main body 50. The seat 31 is designed toadjust modes between a seat mode shown in FIG. 4 and a bed mode shown inFIG. 5 in multiple steps.

The seat main body 50 includes a flat-shaped base portion 51, a sittingportion 52 disposed on the base portion 51, a back rest 53 attached tothe sitting portion 52 in an angle-changeable manner, a head rest 54disposed at the top of the back rest 53, and a pair of side arms 55disposed on both seat surfaces of the sitting portion 52 and at bothsides of the back rest 53.

The sitting portion 52 moves forward and backward on the base portion 51by the player manipulating an input manipulation unit 72. By sliding thesitting portion 52 forward, the seat main body 50 changes from the seatmode shown in FIG. 4 to the bed mode shown in FIG. 5, and then a bed isformed thereby. The sitting portion 52 has a leg rest 521 disposed atthe front side thereof and a foot rest 522 received in the distal endportion of the leg rest 521. If the sitting portion 52 slides forward,the leg rest 521 pivots upward according to the sliding of the sittingportion 52, so that the leg rest 521 constitutes a seat surface which iscontinuous with a seat surface of the sitting portion 52. At the sametime, the foot rest 522 protrudes from the leg rest 521, so that thefoot rest 522 constitutes a seat surface which is continuous with theleg rest 521.

In addition to the forward and backward movement on the base portion 51of the sitting portion 52, the back rest 53 is designed to bendbackward. When the seat main body 50 is in the bed mode, front portionsof the side arms 55 slightly pivot upward. Bags into which air can beinjected are built in the seat surface of the sitting portion 52, alower portion (which contacts the waist of the player) of the back rest53, and the head rest 54. If the air is injected to the bags by using anair pump, surfaces thereof rise up so as to support the body of the user(player) in correspondence to the unevenness of the surface of the bodyof the player.

A sub display unit 61 including a liquid crystal display panel isaccommodated in the side unit 60. The sub display unit 61 includes afirst supporting arm 611 supported at the side unit 60, a secondsupporting arm 612 attached at a distal end of the first supporting arm611, a rectangular-flat-shaped sub monitor 613 attached at a distal endof the second supporting arm 612 to perform liquid crystal display, anda touch panel 76 disposed on a screen of the sub monitor 613.

The first supporting arm 611 is designed to freely extend in a verticaldirection of the side unit 60. The second supporting arm 612 is designedto freely extend and allowed to be fixed at an arbitrary angle in anaxial direction of the first supporting arm 611. By doing so, the submonitor 613 can be fixed at an arbitrary angle in the axial direction ofthe second supporting arm 612. In addition, a sub monitor receivingspace 62 extending in the vertical direction is disposed to the sub unit60. The sub monitor receiving space 62 is formed to receive theaforementioned first supporting arm 611, second supporting arm 612, andsub monitor 613. By doing so, the sub monitor 613 can be taken out fromthe sub monitor receiving space 62 in only the case where the submonitor 613 is needed.

Now, a sequence of operations of taking out the sub monitor 613 from thesub monitor receiving space 62 by the player will be described withreference to FIGS. 6 to 8. Firstly, as shown in FIG. 6, the playerslides the sub monitor 613 upward from the sub monitor receiving space62 in a state of sitting on the seat main body 50 and extends the firstsupporting arm 611 and the second supporting arm 612. Next, as shown inFIG. 7, by twisting the sub monitor 613, the display screen of the submonitor 613 is allowed to face the player. Subsequently, as shown inFIG. 8, by adjusting a relative angle between the first supporting arm611 and the second supporting arm 612 and a relative angle between thesecond supporting arm 612 and the sub monitor 613, the sub monitor 613is located in a viewing line of the player.

As shown in FIG. 2, a small-sized CCD camera 614 is built in the submonitor 613. The CCD camera 614 is used to make avatar in a game field.In addition, by manipulating of the later-described input manipulationunit 72, an image picked up with the CCD camera 614 is always displayedon the sub display unit 61 of the terminal apparatus 30. By doing so,since the player can look at a face of the player, it is possible toincrease pleasure. In addition, the picked-up image may be displayed onthe entire surface or a portion of the surface of the screen of the submonitor 613.

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a sub control unit 90 connectedto the main control unit 80 via a wireless LAN and a plurality of boardaccommodating slots 97 constituting the sub control unit 90 are providedin the side unit 60. According to an instruction of the main controlunit 80, the sub control unit 90 controls the sub display unit 61 andthe running member 32 and, at the same time, transmits a signal inputform the later-described input manipulation unit 72 to the main controlunit 80.

A cover portion 971 is provided at the top portions of the boardaccommodating slots 97 in a freely covered and uncovered manner. Asshown in FIG. 2, by uncovering the cover portion 971 and inserting theterminal control board 972 from an upper portion of the boardaccommodating slot 97, the terminal control board 972 can be mounted inthe board accommodating slots.

A rear side of the seat shell 70 extends upward to support the back rest53 and the head rest 54. In addition, speakers 75 and light-sparklingdisplay units 325 are disposed at both sides of the head rest 54 in theseat shell 70. A rear portion of a side surface of the seat shell 70extends upward and is designed to prevent other players from viewing theplayer sit on the seat main body 50.

A table 71 is attached at an upper portion of the seat shell 70 from theone side surface to the front surface of the seat main body 50. When theseat main body 50 is in the bed mode, a space under the table 71receives the leg rest 521 and the foot rest 522.

The light-sparkling display unit 325 is disposed at a distal end of asupporting member provided on the side surface of the seat shell 70. Thelight-sparkling display unit 325 is disposed at the highest position ofthe terminal apparatus 30, that is, a position which can be seen fromexternal positions of the terminal apparatus 30. By doing so, aplayeroom manager can see the light-sparkling display unit 325 at anarbitrary position outside the play area 21.

Thee types of LED chips emitting red, blue, and green light are includedin the light-sparkling display unit 325. A reflecting frame is disposedaround these LED chips. By doing so, the light-sparkling display unit325 can sparkle in six light-sparkling patterns of, for example, violet,yellow, white, green, blue, and red by mixing the red, blue, and greenlight emitting from the LED chips by using the reflecting frame.

The input manipulation unit 72 provided with a keyboard or a jog dial isdisposed on the table 71 in a vicinity of the side arm 55, that is, at aposition in which the player in the state of sitting on the seat mainbody 50 can perform manipulation. A coin inserting slot 721, a startbutton, and a card slot 721 into which a credit card or a membershipcard is inserted are provided to the input manipulation unit 72.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, a medal paying opening 731 throughmedals are paid from a medal storage portion 73 disposed within the sideunit 60 and a medal receiving portion 732 for receives the paid medalsare provided under the table 71 at the front portion of the side arms55. A holder (not shown) for mounting the medal receiving device 733 isprovided to the medal receiving portion 732.

(Electrical Construction of Game Machine)

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a whole construction of the gamemachine 1. In the game machine 1, the main control unit 80 of thegame-machine main body 20 has a wireless communication unit 83, and thesub control unit 90 of the terminal apparatuses 30 has a wirelesscommunication unit 93. The wireless communication units 83 and 93 can beconnected with each other via a wireless LAN, so that sound data,character data can be transmitted and received between the main controlunit 80 and the sub control unit 90.

(Electrical Construction of Main Control Unit 80)

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a construction of the main controlunit 80. The main control unit 80 includes a CPU 81, a memory 82, awireless communication unit 83, a database 84, and a managing displayunit 87.

The wireless communication unit 83 includes a transceiving circuit unit(RF) 85 for transmitting and receiving signals to and from the subcontrol unit 90 and a base band process unit 86 for converting an RF(Radio Frequency) signal received from the transceiving circuit unit 85to a base band signal and converting to-be-transmitted base band signalto an RF signal.

The database 84 is a circuit board including a storage unit for storinggame programs or a storage medium (for example, a hard disc or a ROMcassette) for storing the game programs. More specifically, the maincontrol unit 80 is provided with a slot which the circuit board or thestorage medium is detachable to. By attaching and detaching the circuitboard or the storage medium, the game program stored in the database 84can be suitably replaced with other game programs to be executed. Inaddition, the replacement of the game program is not limited to theusage of the hardware, but game program software can be directlyreplaced by downloading through a communication line.

The CPU 81 transmits and receives data from and to the sub control units90 of the terminal apparatuses 30 through the wireless communicationunit 83 by using the flowing process sequence. More specifically, whentransmitting the data to the sub control unit 90 of the terminalapparatus 30, the CPU 91 converts the data into packet data. At thistime, an IP address of a specific terminal apparatus 30, that is, atransmitting destination is added to the packet data. In addition, ifreceiving the data from the sub control unit 90, the CPU 91 identifiesthe terminal apparatus 30, that is, a transmitting source, based on theIP address added to the packet data.

In addition, the CPU 81 executes the game program to perform variousprocesses. Namely, the CPU 81 reads the game program stored in thedatabase 84 into the memory 82 and performs the game according to thegame program.

More specifically, the CPU 81 receives data including later-describedgame-input data from a plurality of terminal apparatuses 30 andgenerates single game data according to the game program based on thereceived data. Next, the CPU 81 generates image data common to all theterminal apparatuses 30 based on the generated single game data andoutput the image data to the terminal apparatuses 30.

Here, the single game data includes data of a plurality of manipulatingcharacters which can be operated according to the game-input data of theplurality of the terminal apparatuses 30 and position data of theplurality of manipulating characters in a single game field generatedaccording to the game program.

If receiving a plurality of the game data from the plurality of theterminal apparatuses 30, the CPU 81 identifies a terminal apparatus 30which transmits the game-input data based on the IP address and operatesthe manipulating character of the specific terminal apparatus 30according to the associated game-input data. In addition, in a casewhere the position data of the specific one of the plurality of theterminal apparatuses 30 satisfies a predetermined condition, the CPU 81transmits movement signal data for indicating the position of theterminal apparatus 30 to the terminal apparatus 30.

In addition, during the performing of the game, the CPU 81 extractsinformation (that is, information indicating events occurring in thegame field) indicating a game program or a situation corresponding tothe time axis in the game field at that time from the database 84according to a request from the terminal apparatuses 30 and transmitsthe information to the terminal apparatuses 30, that is, requestingsources, through the wireless LAN. In addition, the CPU 81 receivesinformation indicating manipulation results of the players to theterminal apparatuses 30 and stores the information in the memory 82.

The CPU 81 performs the game based on the information indicating themanipulation results of the player stored in the memory 82 and storesperforming results of the game program in the database 84.

Here, the information indicating the manipulation result of the playerare, for example, a result of selection form the selection itemsrepresented to the player through the terminal apparatuses 30 and aresult of character manipulation of the player for the characterdisplayed to the player in the course of the game program. Namely, theinformation indicating the manipulation result of the player isinformation transmitted from the terminal apparatus as the result of theplayer manipulating the terminal apparatus 30 thereof. In addition,other players are allowed to check the current game performing situation(for example, high score information) stored in the database 84.

The managing display unit 87 is a liquid crystal display apparatushaving a liquid crystal panel and a display control unit for performingdisplay control for the liquid crystal panel. On the managing displayunit 87, order contents from the players manipulating the terminalapparatuses 30 and light-sparkling patterns of the light-sparklingdisplay unit 325 corresponding to the order contents are displayed. Theplayeroom manager provides a game service according to the ordercontents and the light-sparkling patterns displayed on the managingdisplay unit 87.

(Electrical Construction of Sub Control Unit 90)

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a construction of the sub controlunit 90. The sub control unit 90 includes a CPU 91, a memory 92, awireless communication unit 93, and an input/output unit 94. Theinput/output unit 94 is connected as an interface to the speakers 75 andthe light-sparkling display unit 325. Namely, the input/output unit 94outputs a sound signal to the speaker 75, so that sound associated withthe game can be output from the speaker 75, and the input/output unit 94outputs a light-sparkling signal to the light-sparkling display unit325, so that the LEDs can be sparkled in a predetermined light-sparklingpattern.

The wireless communication unit 93 includes a transceiving circuit unit(RF) 95 for transmitting and receiving signals to and from the maincontrol unit 80 and a base band process unit 96 for converting an RF(Radio Frequency) signal received from the transceiving circuit unit 95to a base band signal and converting to-be-transmitted base band signalto an RF signal.

In addition, the memory 92 stores programs or the like used for variouscontrol and the game. In addition, the CPU 91 performs later-describedvarious processes by executing the programs stored in the memory 92.

More specifically, in a case where the data is transmitted to the maincontrol unit 80, a process for dividing the data into packet data isperformed. At this time, the IP address of the terminal apparatus 30,that is, a transmission source is added to the packet data as anidentifier for identifying the terminal apparatus 30. In addition, in acase where the data is received from the data main control unit 80, ifthe IP address added to the packet data is equal to the IP address ofthe associated terminal apparatus 30, the packet data is received, andif not equal, the packet data is discarded.

In addition, according to input signals from the input manipulation unit72, the CCD camera 614, and the IC tag sensing unit 324, a process forcontrolling the sub display unit 61, the driving control device 322, andthe direction control device 323 is performed. In addition, if movementsignal data specifying a position of the terminal apparatus 30 isreceived from the main control unit 80, a process for checking theposition of the terminal apparatus 30 on the play area 21 based oncurrent position data from the IC tag sensing unit 324 and moving theterminal apparatus 30 to the position specified by the movement signaldata by controlling the driving control device 322 and the directioncontrol device 323 of the running member 32 is performed.

In addition, if game-input data is input by manipulation of the inputmanipulation unit 72 or the touch panel 76, a process for driving thedriving control device 322 and the direction control device 323 of therunning member 32 according to the game-input data is performed.

In addition, if information indicating the game program or the situationcorresponding to the time axis in the game field is received from themain control unit 80, a process for storing the information on the gameprogram transmitted from the main control unit 80 in a memory 82,displaying a variety of events occurring in the game field according tothe game program on the sub display unit 61, and outputting effect soundfrom the speaker 75 is performed. When receiving light-sparkling modedata transmitted from the main control apparatus 80, a process forturning on the light-sparkling display unit 325 with a light-sparklingmode corresponding to the light-sparkling data is performed.

Like this, by performing various processes, while seeing the gamecontents (for example, image information, text letter information, orthe like) displayed on the sub display units 61, the players using theterminal apparatuses 30 manipulates the input manipulation unit 72 orthe touch panel 76, so that the player can take part in performing thegame or move the terminal apparatus 30 to the specified position on theplay area 21 by manipulating characters displayed on the main displayunit 22 or selecting choices by using text letters.

(Process Blocks of the Terminal Apparatus 30)

In addition, the sub control unit 90 having the aforementionedconstruction enables the players to watch a movie and television orplace an order of meal or food during a pause of the game by the CPU 91executing a selection process routine as shown in FIG. 16. Namely, asshown in FIG. 12, the terminal apparatuses 30 have a construction ofexecuting a selection process routine for a process block having variousprocess functions.

More specifically, the terminal apparatuses 30 includes a display unit100 for screen-displaying various information, a game process unit 116for executing a game process for displaying game data on the displayunit 100 and performing a game during which a game value (an acquiredpoint, an acquired item, or the like) is acquirable, an image processunit 122 for executing an image process for screen-displaying image data(movie information, television information, or the like) different fromthe game on the display unit 100, a game manipulation unit 115 withwhich a player is allowed to perform a game input based on the game datadisplayed on the display unit 10, and a game value storage unit 111 (astorage unit) for storing image watching item data associated with animage watching item, in a case where the game process unit 116 executesa game process for acquiring the image watching item during theperforming of the game in accordance with a game input of the gamemanipulation unit 115, wherein the image process unit 122 is allowed toscreen-display the image data on the display unit based on the imagewatching item data stored in the game value storage unit 111. Inaddition, the terminal apparatus 30 includes a game value storage unit111 for storing point data associated with a point, in a case where thegame process unit 116 executes a game process for acquiring the pointduring the performing of the game in accordance with a game input of thegame manipulation unit 115.

By doing so, in the terminal apparatus 30, by selecting the imageprocess with the process selection unit 124, it is possible toscreen-display on the display unit 100 the image data different from thegame data screen-displayed by the game process unit 116. By doing so,for example, in a case where the player performing the game in a longtime wants to make refreshment, the player sees the image different fromthe game, so that the player may be able to make refreshment in ashorter time than a conventional method of temporarily stopping the gameand taking a rest. In addition, since the image can be seen based on theimage watching item or the point acquired during the performing of thegame, a fee required for seeing the image can be paid with the gamevalue acquired during the performing of the game, so that it may bepossible to further increase pleasure of the game.

Now, the construction will be described in detail. The display unit 100is constructed with the sub display unit 61 shown in FIG. 2. The displayunit 100 can switch the display screen among the game screen, theselection screen, the image screen, and the like. These display screensinclude a point display region 101 a for displaying the acquired point,an item display region 101 b for displaying acquired items, a gamescreen region 102 for displaying the game, a rest alarm screen region103 for displaying rest information, an image display screen region 104for displaying image data, and a selection screen region 105 fordisplaying selection information such as a movie and television.Detailed contents of the display screen of the display unit 100 will bedescribed later.

The game process unit 116 facilitates the performing of the game basedon the intention of the player according to a game manipulationinstruction signal from the game manipulation unit 115. The gamemanipulation unit 115 is constructed with the input manipulation unit 72and the touch panel 76.

The process selection unit 124 is constructed with the game selectionunit 120, the image selection unit 125, and the input receiving unit121. The game selection unit 120 is constructed with the game screenregion 102 and a predetermined portion of the touch panel 76corresponding to the game screen region 102 excluding the displayregions 101 a, 101 b, and 103 for the acquired point, the acquired item,or the like. Namely, if the game screen displayed on the game screenregion 102 is pushed through the touch panel 76, the game instructionsignal is output from the game selection unit 120 to the input receivingunit 121. In addition, the image selection unit 125 is constructed withthe display regions 101 a, 101 b, and 103 for the acquired point, theacquired item, or the like and a predetermined portion of the touchpanel 76 corresponding to the display regions 101 a, 101 b, and 103.Namely, if the acquired point displayed on the point display region 101a is pushed through the touch panel 76, the watching instruction signalis output from the image selection unit 125 to the input receiving unit121.

In addition, the game value storage unit 111 is constructed with thememory 92 shown in FIG. 11. In addition, the game value storage unit 111(memory 92) may be a detachable memory chard which can be attached anddetached freely. Here, “image watching item” may be an item dedicatedfor watching the image or all the item acquired during the performing ofthe game. For example, in the game screen of FIG. 21, in a case wheretwo “apples” and one “grape” are displayed, only the “apple” may be the“image watching item”, or both of the “apple” and the “grape” may be the“image watching item”.

By using the input receiving unit 121, the game instruction signal andthe watching instruction signal can be input. If the game instructionsignal is input, the process of the game process unit 116 is executed,and a process instruction signal is output to stop the process of theimage process unit 122. On the other hand, if the watching instructionsignal is input, the process of the game process unit 116 is stopped,and a process instruction signal is output to perform the process of theimage process unit 122.

The payment unit 112 has a function of storing game value data acquiredor spent during the performing of the game in the game value storageunit 111. More specifically, if the game value is acquired, the gamevalue data corresponding to the acquired game value is added to the gamevalue storage unit 111, and if the game value is paid, the game valuedata corresponding to the payment is subtracted from the game valuestorage unit 111. In addition, the payment unit 112 has a function ofpaying coins or coupon in addition to the function of paying the feerequired for the image process with the game value acquired during theperforming of the game. By doing so, in a case where the acquired gamevalue is insufficient, the payment unit 112 can pay the insufficientportion with the coins or coupon. In addition, a coin inserting portion113 and a coupon inputting portion 114 are provided to the inputmanipulation unit 72 of FIG. 2, so that a coin inserting signal or acoupon inputting portion 114 is output to the payment unit 112 if thecoins or coupons are used.

The terminal apparatus 30 also has a game time counter unit 117 forcounting game time of the subsequently-performed game processes and arest alarm unit 118 for outputting rest data when the game time is apredetermined time. By doing so, the terminal apparatus 30 may be ableto urge the player to take a rest before the player is severely tired.The rest alarm unit 118 has a function of outputting the rest data tothe display unit 100, and displays, through the screen display of thedisplay unit 100, rest image data for urging the player to take a rest.By doing so, even in a noisy environment, since the rest alarm is givenby using the screen for displaying the game, it may be possible for theplayer to accurately alarm the rest.

The terminal apparatuses 30 also has a payment control unit 119 forinstructing the payment unit 112 not to charge the fee required for theimage process of the image process unit under the condition the restalarm in the rest alarm unit 118. By doing so, if the game iscontinuously performed over a predetermined time, the player can take arest while seeing the image free of charge in the terminal apparatus 30,so that it may be possible to give a motive of performing the gamecontinuously to the player.

The game process unit 116 has a function of using as the game value anacquired point represented by numerals and an acquired item representedby designs, and displaying the game value data of the acquired point andthe acquired item on the display unit 100. More specifically, theacquired point is displayed on the point display region 101 a, and theacquired item is displayed on the item display region 101 b. By doingso, in the terminal apparatus 30, it may be possible to easily perceivethe game value acquired during the performing the game by seeing thescreen display.

The process selection unit 124 has a function of selecting the imageprocess of the image process unit 122 by a pushing manipulation on adisplay region of the game value data displayed on the display unit 100.For example, in a case where the acquired point displayed on the pointdisplay region 101 a is pushed through the touch panel 76, the imageprocess is selected. By doing so, in the terminal apparatus 30, sincethe image process can be selected by the pushing manipulation on thedisplay region of the game value data, it may be possible to intuitivelyknow that the image can be seen by using the game value.

The payment unit 112 has a function of changing the fee required for theimage process according to the performing time of the image process. Bydoing so, in the terminal apparatuses 30, it may be possible to stopseeing the image in a short time and return to the game.

In addition, in the terminal apparatus 30, the image process unit 122has a function of a program display unit for list-displaying a pluralityof program data (a plurality of image titles or television programs) asimage process execution objects on the display unit 100 in a case wherethe image process is selected by the process selection unit 124 and acontent selection unit 123 has a function of a program selection unitfor enabling the player to select one of a plurality of thelist-displayed program data and causing the image process unit 122 toexecute the image process corresponding to the selected program data. Bydoing so, since the terminal apparatus 30 has a probability that theprogram suitable for preference of the player can be seen is high, itmay be possible to restore the player from fatigue in a short time.

In addition, in the terminal apparatus 30, the image process unit 122has a function of a food display unit for list-displaying a plurality offood data (beverages or foods) on the display unit 100 in a case wherethe image process is selected by the process selection unit 124 and thecontent selection unit 123 for enabling the player to select one of aplurality of the list-displayed food data and placing an order of a foodcorresponding to the selected food data. By doing so, in the terminalapparatus 30, since an order of a food can be placed, it may be possibleto restore the player from fatigue in a short time.

(Screen Display)

Now, the screen display of the sub display unit 61 will be described.

FIG. 21 is a view of a game screen showing an on-game state. The gamescreen has a game screen region 102 over the entire screen, and the gameis performed while the characters or the like move in the game screenregion 102. In the game screen region 102, the point display region 101a and the item display region 101 b are provided, and acquired point orthe acquired item is displayed on the regions 101 a and 101 b. Inaddition, in the game screen region 102, an avatar display region 130 isprovided. The avatar display region 130 displays an avatar made by theplayer. In addition, the display screen displays the point displayregion 101 a and the selection screen of FIG. 22 through the touch panel76, if when the item display region 101 a is pushed.

FIG. 22 shows a state changed from the game screen to the selectionscreen. The selection screen has a selection screen region 105 formedover the entire screen. In the selection screen region 105, a pluralityof selection buttons 131 are provided in matrix, and text letterinformation of “please select” is displayed. On the selection buttons131, information representing selection contents such as television,movie, meal, beverage, and the like are displayed. More specifically, incase of the movie, a title or a scene of the movie is displayed. Inaddition, if pushed, the selection button 131 is enlarged in a largersize than a normal size. By doing so, the selection button 131 caninform the player of the success of selection. In addition, in theselection screen region 105, the avatar display region 130, the pointdisplay region 101 a, and a return button 132 are provided. On thereturn button 132, text letter information of “return” is displayed, andthe player can return to the just-before operation by using the button.

FIG. 23 shows a state of the meal selection screen. The meal selectionscreen is displayed when the selection button 131 of “meal” in theselection screen of FIG. 22 is pushed. The selection screen has a mealselection region 136. In the meal selection region 136, meal images aredisplayed as a meal menu, and an order can be placed by pushing theimages.

FIG. 24 shows a state of a beverage selection screen. The beverageselection screen is displayed when the selection button 131 of“beverage” in the selection screen of FIG. 22 is pushed. The selectionscreen has a beverage selection region 137. In beverage selection region137, beverage images are displayed as a meal menu, and an order can beplaced by pushing the images.

FIG. 25 shows a state of the image screen. The image screen is displayedwhen the selection button 131 of, for example, “movie 6” in theselection screen of FIG. 22 is pushed. The image screen has an imagedisplay screen region 104. The image display screen region 104 occupiesmost portions of the screen, and in a lower portion of the image displayscreen region 104, the avatar display region 130, the point displayregion 101 a, the return button 132, the end button 133, watch 134, anda proceeding adjust button 135 are disposed. The end button 133 is usedto forcibly stop playing the movie or television. The watch 134 has ashape of a sandglass watch and is used to inform the player of theplaying time of the movie or television. The proceeding adjust button135 is used to change the playing position of the movie or televisionand has functions of fast winding and rewinding.

FIG. 26 shows a state of the game screen changed from the image screento the game screen. In addition, this game screen shows a state afterseeing a movie of 200 points and eating a food of 100 point by using theacquired item.

FIG. 27 shows a state of the rest alarm screen when the game isperformed in a predetermined time. In the rest alarm screen, the restalarm screen region 103 is provided within the game screen region 102, atext letter information of “Do you take a rest?” is displayed in therest alarm screen region 103.

(Summary of the Game)

Now, a summary of the game according to the execution of the gameprogram will be described. The game is a role-playing game which isperformed all the time in an independent time axis by using a cyber gamefield as a stage. In the cyber game field, there is a plurality ofstreets, and guilds are formed thereto. The player, as an adventurousperson, visits a plurality of the streets and has a mission to clear alarge number of events (quests) occurring in the guilds by manipulatingthe avatar.

On the other hand, in the game field, a plurality of grand events (macroquest) occurs, and a main stream of a story proceeds. The players solvethe aforementioned events (quest) and, sometimes, the players areinvolved in the grand events (macro quests), so that the playerscooperate with each other, fight against each other or compete againsteach other in order to solve the grand events (macro quest).

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 13, six terminal apparatuses 30A to30F are disposed on the play area 21. Among them, the players of theterminal apparatuses 30A, 30B, and 30E constitute one party, and theplayers of the terminal apparatuses 30C, 30D, and 30F constitute anotherparty. In addition, the players of the terminal apparatuses 30A to 30Dare involved in the macro quest in a city area 212A, so that the partiesdispose to face each other. On the contrary, since the player of theterminal apparatuses 30E and 30F are located in an ocean area 212B and aforest area 212C, respectively, the players are not involved in themacro quests and watch the fighting of the players of the terminalapparatuses 30A to 30D.

In addition, the player involved in the macro quest selects whether ornot the player asks colleague players for help in order to clear themacro quest. In a case where help is selected, a mail requesting forhelp is transmitted to the colleague players, and information on therequest for help is displayed on the sub display units 61 of theterminal apparatuses 30 of the associated players. In addition, theplayer urges the colleague players to select whether or not to help theplayer. In a case where the colleague player agrees to help the player,a result of the selection is transmitted to the player asking for thehelp, and information that the colleague player takes part is displayedon the sub display unit 61. In addition, a situation that newlyparticipating colleague players gather is displayed on the main displayunit 22.

Next, as shown in FIG. 14, the terminal apparatuses 30 of the newlyparticipating colleague players move into the previous city area 212A ofthe main display unit 22 to be disposed to approach and face theterminal apparatuses 30 of the competing players. Next, the players ofthe terminal apparatuses 30A, 30B, and 30E and the players of theterminal apparatuses 30C and 30D compete against in the city area 212A.

In addition, in the game, the stream of the game field changes by theplayers manipulating (game playing) the terminal apparatuses 30. Ahistory of the game field is made by accumulation of game plays(adventures) of the individual players. Like this, the game is arole-playing game in which a stream of the history of the cyber spacecan be experienced by all the players. In addition, in the game field,the history is accumulated in the time axis which cannot be stoppedindividually. Therefore, characters occurring in the game field are noteternal beings but beings that grow old like living things in the realspace.

In addition, in the game, a name of such an actively participatingplayer that solves the events in the macro quest, or defeats otherplayers is recorded in a history annals stored in the database 84. Bydoing so, the player who actively participates in the macro quest canremain as a famous player in the history.

In addition, in the game, as shown in FIG. 15, an event history annalsprocess, a guild process, an occupied product process, a shop process, astatus process, and a party process can be executed for each of theplayers.

If the player selects the “event history annals”, the event historyannals are read out from the database 84 of the main control unit 80,and the event history annals process is executed to display the eventhistory annals on the sub display unit 61.

In the event history annals, a date when the quest is solved in the gamefield and a quest name of the quest are listed. In addition, if theplayer selects the quest name (event name), details of the selectedevent are displayed. Here, in a case where a winner is a player offirstly solving an event (quest), the details of the event are a list ofthe player who solves the event (quest) firstly, and in a case where awinner is a party which has a largest number of colleague players ofsolving the associated event (quest), the details of the event is a listof the party.

If the player selects “guild”, the guild process is executed to displaythe guild screen on the sub display unit 61. In the guild screen, theplayer can see a list of quest that the player can challenge to orselect other villages where the player can go in the game field.

If the player selects the “quest” in the guild screen, a list ofselectable quests is displayed on the sub display unit 61. If the playerselects a desired quest in the list, the selected quest is executed.

If the player selects the “go to another street” in the guild screen, alist of selectable streets as a moving destination is displayed on thesub display unit 61. If the player selects a desired street in the list,the player moves into the selected street. If the player moves intoanother street in the game field, the terminal apparatuses, 30 of theplayers move to the sub area 212 corresponding to the street of themoving destination. In addition, the player can select a menu of“guild”, “occupied product”, “shop”, and the like in the street of themoving destination.

If the player selects the “occupied product”, the occupied productprocess is executed to display an occupied product (list) screen forweapons, tools, boots, and the like is displayed on the sub display unit61. If the player selects a specific occupied product in the occupiedproduct (list) screen, a plurality of items included in the selectedoccupied product is displayed on sub display unit 61. The player canselect desired items among the items and be equipped with or removes theselected items.

If the player selects the “shop”, the shop process is executed todisplay the shop screen on the sub display unit 61. The shop screen is ascreen where the player exchanges occupied items or obtains informationfrom a shop owner, and the player can select one of “listening to astory” or “exchanging”.

If the player selects the “exchanging” in the shop screen, a list ofproducts is displayed on the sub display unit 61. The player can selecta desired item in the list of products.

If the player selects the desired item, the selected desired item andthe occupied items of the players intending to exchange are displayed.If the player selects to-be-exchanged one among the occupied items, theoccupied item of the player and a value thereof are displayed on the subdisplay unit 61. If the player selects a desired exchanged one among thedisplayed occupied items, and if the player selects the “execution” in astate that the to-be-exchanged occupied item is prepared, exchangebetween the desired item and the to-be-exchanged occupied item isexecuted.

On the other hand, if the player selects the “listening to a story” inthe shop screen, a story of the field is displayed on the sub displayunit 61. The player can obtain information of the game field from the“story of the field” displayed on the screen.

If the player selects the “status”, the status process is executed todisplay a status screen on the sub display unit 61. The status screenshows a result of activities or occupied products of the player in thegame field. More specifically, the status screen shows names, nicknames,reputation, physical strengths, intellectual powers, the number ofdefeated monsters, the number of cleared quest, and the number ofhelping players. If the player selects one of the aforementioned listedones, a rank of the listed one is displayed on the sub display unit 61.

If the player selects the “party”, the party process is executed todisplay names of colleague players (in a case where there are colleagueplayers), “sending a mail”, “reading a mail”, and “exchanging a item”,“looking up a status”, and the like on the sub display unit 61. If theplayer selects one of the aforementioned listed ones, the player cantransmit and receive the mail from and to the colleague players,exchange the item with the collogue players, or look up the status ofthe colleague players.

(Operations of Game Machine 1)

Now, operations of the game machine 1 having the aforementionedconstruction will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the players firstlyselect favorite ones among the terminal apparatuses 30 disposed on theplay areas 21 and sit on the seats 31 of the selected terminalapparatuses 30. Next, as shown in FIG. 2, a coin is inserted into thecoin inserting slot of the input manipulation unit 72 and a start switchis pushed. Therefore, locking of the sub monitor 613 and the seat 31 ofthe game machine are released. After that, the sub monitor 613 is takenout from the sub monitor receiving space 62 of the side unit 60 and amode of the seat 31 is adjusted.

Next, the game is performed. More specifically, if the game starts, anavatar is made as an incarnation of the player. Namely, an avatar makingscreen is displayed on the sub display unit 61. After that, the face ofthe player is picked up with the CCD camera 614, and if personalinformation and a name to be used in the game filed are input, theavatar is generated according to the information and registered in thedatabase 84 of the main control unit 80.

Next, the game data is screen-displayed, a game process step forperforming the game capable of acquiring the game value starts. Morespecifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the terminal apparatuses 30 of theplayers are disposed at initial positions on the play area 21. Namely,the street of the game field may be surrounded with an ocean or a forestor a street of a big city. Although the play area 21 are constructedwith a plurality of the sub area 212 such as a city area 212A, an oceanarea 212B, and a forest area 212C as described above, these sub areas212 are designed as a cyber space corresponding to the environment ofthe street of the game field.

At the time of the game starting, the streets where the individualplayers are located are defined in the game field, and then, theterminal apparatuses 30 of the players move to the sub areas 212corresponding to the streets where the players are located. Otherwise,by the players manipulating the input manipulation units 72, theterminal apparatuses of the players may move, and the streets where theplayers are located in the game field may be defined according to themovement of the terminal apparatuses. After that, the game proceeds inthe independent time axis while macro quests in which a plurality of theplayer participates or macro quests in which a single playerparticipates are generated. If the game process step ends, the submonitor 613 is received, and at the same time, the mode of the seat 31returns to a seat mode.

In addition to the game process step, the game machine 1 includes animage process step for screen-displaying image data different from thegame, a process selection step for selecting the game process step andthe image process step, and an image process selection step forscreen-displaying the image data based on the image watching item dataassociated with the image watching item acquired during the performingof the game. In addition, the image process selection step has afunction as a payment step for paying a fee required for the screendisplay of the image data in the image process step with the game valueacquired during the performing of the game.

(Operation of Game Machine 1: Selection Process)

Now, details of the image process step, the process selection step, andthe image process selection step will be described. During the game, theselection process is executed. Namely, as shown in FIG. 16, it isdetermined whether or not the game time exceeds a predetermined time(S1), and if the game time exceeds the predetermined time (YES in S1), alater-described rest process is executed in order to urge the player totake a rest (S20). On the other hand, if the game time does not exceedthe predetermined time (NO in S1), it is determined whether or not theselection button of the input manipulation unit 72 is pushed (S2).

In a case where the selection button is pushed (YES in S2), the game istemporarily stopped (S14). Next, the acquired point acquired during theperforming of the game is read and output (S15), and lottery candidatedata corresponding to the acquired point are extracted. Here, the“lottery candidate data” are data including detailed contents such astelevisions, movies, meals, and the beverages and prices (points)associated with the contents, and for example, in case of the beverage,the data are a cup of coffee of 100 points or a cup of tea of 50 points.Next, lottery candidate data below the acquired point is extracted fromthe lottery candidate data designated with prices (S16).

After that, the selection screen of FIG. 22 is displayed (S17), and afirst selection process for selecting movies, meals, or the like byusing the selection screen is executed (S18). Next, it is determinedwhether or not the selection is completed (S19), selection is completed(YES in S19), the step S11 is executed. On the other hand, if theselection is not completed (NO in S19), the display is changed over thegame screen display of FIG. 26 (S21).

In the step S2, if the selection button is not pushed (NO in S2), it isdetermined whether or not the point display region 101 a for displayingthe acquired point is pushed as shown in FIG. 21. (S3). If the pointdisplay region 101 a is pushed (YES in S3), the aforementioned step S14is executed, similar to the case where the selection button is pushed.On the other hand, if the point display region 101 a is not pushed (NOin S3), it is subsequently determined whether or not the item displayregion 101 b for displaying the acquired item is pushed (S4). If theitem display region 101 b is not pushed (NO in S4), the routine ends,and the subsequent selection process starts.

If the item display region 101 b is pushed (YES in S4), the game istemporarily stopped (S5). Next, the lottery candidate data correspondingto the acquired item is extracted. Namely, the lottery candidate databelow the point corresponding to the value of the acquired item isextracted from the lottery candidate data designated with various prices(S6). After that, the selection screen of FIG. 22 is displayed (S7), thefirst selection process for selecting movies, meals, or the like byusing the selection screen is executed (S8).

Next, it is determined whether or not the selection is completed (S9),and if the selection is not completed (NO in S19), the step S21 isexecuted. On the other hand, if the selection is completed (YES in S19),the acquired item is removed from the screen and the memory (S10), andit is determined whether or not the selection is a movie or television(S11). If the selection is not the movie or television (S11, NO), thedisplay is changed over the game screen display of FIG. 26 (S21). On theother hand, if the selection is the movie or television (YES in S11),the image screen of FIG. 25 is displayed (S12). After thelater-described image display process is executed (S13), the display ischanged over the game screen display of FIG. 26 (S21). After that, thegame starts again (S23), the routine ends.

(Operation of Game Machine 1: First Selection Process)

In the selection process, if the first selection processes of the stepsS8 and S18 are executed, a reception of the pushing manipulation isperformed by using the selection screen of FIG. 23, as shown in FIG. 17.The push signal from the touch panel 76 is input, and a display regioncorresponding to a coordinate position indicated with the push signal isidentified (A1). If the pushing manipulation is performed, it isdetermined whether or not the pushing manipulation corresponds to themovie selection (A2). If the movie is selected (YES in A2), the moviepoint, that is, the price designated to the movie is subtracted from theacquired point (A3). After that, the playing of the selected movie isrequested to the main control unit 80 (A4), and the routine ends.

If a movie is not selected, (NO in A2), it is subsequently determinedwhether or not a television is selected (A5). If the television isselected (YES in A5), the television point, that is, the pricedesignated to the television is subtracted from the acquired point (A6).After that, the playing of the selected television is requested to themain control unit 80 (A7), and the routine ends.

If a television is not selected (NO in A5), it is subsequentlydetermined whether or not a meal is selected (A8). If the meal isselected (YES in A8), the meal selection screen of FIG. 23 is displayed(A9). Next, the meal selection process is executed by using mealselection screen. Namely, by pushing an icon for a favorite meal in ameal menu displayed on the meal selection region 136, an order of themeal is placed to the main control unit 80. In addition, the meal point,that is, the price designated to the meal is subtracted from acquiredpoint (A10). After that, if the meal selection process is completed, theroutine ends.

In addition, in the selection screen of FIG. 22, if a meal is notselected (NO in A5), it is subsequently determined whether or not abeverage is selected (A11). If the beverage is selected (YES in A11),the beverage selection screen of FIG. 24 is displayed (A12). Next, thebeverage selection process is executed by using the beverage selectionscreen. Namely, by pushing an icon for a favorite beverage in a beveragemenu displayed on the beverage selection region 137, an order of thebeverage is placed to the main control unit 80. In addition, thebeverage point, that is, the price designated to the beverage issubtracted from acquired point (A13). After that, if the beverageselection process is completed, the routine ends.

In addition, in the selection screen of FIG. 22, if a beverage is notselected (NO in A11), return is subsequently selected. Namely, it isdetermined whether or not the return button 132 is pushed (A14). If thereturn is selected (YES in A14), the routine ends. If the return is notselected (NO in A14), the pushing manipulation is determined to beinvalid, and the steps are executed again from the step A1.

(Operation of Game Machine 1: Image Display Process)

In the selection process, the image display process of the step S13 isexecuted; the image data is received and displayed on the image displayscreen region 104 of FIG. 25 as shown in FIG. 18 (B1). Next, thecounting of the playing time starts (B2), the playing time is displayedby using the watch 134 (B3). After that, the acquired point is displayedon the point display region 101 a (B4), and it is determined whether ornot the player takes a rest (B5). If the player takes a rest (YES inB5), it is subsequently determined whether or not the image reproducingposition is manipulated (B8). On the other hand, if the player does nottake a rest (NO in B5), it is determined whether or not a unit timeelapses (B6). If the unit time does not elapse (NO in B6), it issubsequently determined whether or not the image reproducing position ismanipulated (B8).

If the unit time elapses (YES in B6), the spent point is subtracted fromthe acquired point (B7). In addition, the spent point is a valueobtained by dividing a multiplied value of the movie point designated tothe movie and the all the playing time by the unit time. By doing so, itis possible to check a state of increase in the acquired point every apredetermined time. After that, it is determined whether or not theimage reproducing position is manipulated by the proceeding adjustbutton 135 (B8). If the image reproducing position is manipulated (YESin B8), transmission of the image data from the image reproducing pointis requested to the main control unit 80. By doing so, it is possible towatch the movie by fast winding or by omitting the previously watchingportion (B14). After that, the steps are executed again from the stepB3.

If the image reproducing position is not manipulated (NO in B8), it issubsequently determined whether or not the end button 133 is pushed(B9). If the pushing manipulation is not performed (NO in B9), it issubsequently determined whether or not the acquired point is below “0”(B10). If the acquired point is not below “0” (NO in B10), it issubsequently determined whether or not the image playing ends (B11). Ifthe image playing does not end (NO in B11), the steps are executed againfrom the step B3.

On the other hand, if the end button is pushed (YES in B9), if theacquired point is below “0” (YES in B10), or if the image playing ends(YES in B11), the counting of the playing time stops, and at the sametime, is reset (B12). Next, at the same of the reset of the game time,the counting starts again (B13), and after that, the routine ends. Inaddition, if a pushing manipulation is performed on the point displayregion 101 a during the image playing, it is preferable that the mealselection region 136 of FIG. 23 or the beverage selection region 137 ofFIG. 24 occurs in order to place an order of a meal or a beverage.

(Operation of Game Machine 1: Rest Process)

In the selection process, the rest process of the step S20 is executed,the game is temporarily stopped as shown in FIG. 19(C1). The rest imagedata of FIG. 27 is displayed on the rest alarm screen region 103 (C2),and rest is selected. Namely, if the rest alarm screen region 103 ispushed, the player intends to take a rest, if the game screen region 102is not pushed, the player does not intends to take a rest (C3). If therest is selected (YES in C3), the selection screen of FIG. 23 isdisplayed (C4), and a second selection process is executed (C5). Afterthat, the routine ends. On the other hand, if the rest is not selected(C3, NO), the display in the rest alarm screen region 103 is removed. Inaddition, at the same time of the reset of the game time, the countingof the game time starts (C6). After that, the routine ends.

(Operation of Game Machine 1: Second Selection Process)

In the rest process, if the second selection process in the step C5 isexecuted, the watching of the movie and the placing of an order of themeal is available free of charge. Namely, as shown in FIG. 20, thereception of the pushing manipulation is firstly performed by using theselection screen of FIG. 23. More specifically, the push signal from thetouch panel 76 is input, and a display region corresponding to acoordinate position indicated with the push signal is identified (D1).If the pushing manipulation is performed, it is determined whether ornot the pushing manipulation corresponds to the movie selection (D2). Ifthe movie is selected (YES in D2), the playing of the selected movie isrequested to the main control unit 80 (D3), and the routine ends.

If a movie is not selected, (NO in D2), a television is subsequentlyselected (D4). If the television is selected (YES in D4), the playing ofthe selected television is requested to the main control unit 80 (D5),and the routine ends.

If a television is not selected (NO in D4), a meal is subsequentlyselected (D6). If the meal is selected (YES in D6), the meal selectionscreen of FIG. 23 is displayed (D7). Next, the meal selection process isexecuted by using meal selection screen. Namely, by pushing an icon fora favorite meal in a meal menu displayed on the meal selection region136, an order of the meal is placed to the main control unit 80. Inaddition, the meal point is not subtracted from acquired point (D8).After that, if the meal selection process is completed, the routineends.

In addition, in the selection screen of FIG. 23, if a meal is notselected (NO in D6), a beverage is subsequently selected (D9). If thebeverage is selected (YES in D9), the beverage selection screen of FIG.24 is displayed (D10) Next, the beverage selection process is executedby using the beverage selection screen. Namely, by pushing an icon for afavorite beverage in a beverage menu displayed on the beverage selectionregion 137, an order of the beverage is placed to the main control unit80 (D11). After that, if the beverage selection process is completed,the routine ends.

In addition, in the selection screen of FIG. 23, if a beverage is notselected (NO in D9), return is subsequently selected. Namely, it isdetermined whether or not the return button 132 is pushed (D12). If thereturn is selected (YES in D12), the routine ends. If the return is notselected (NO in D12), the pushing manipulation is determined to beinvalid, and the steps are executed again from the step D1.

Summary of the Embodiments of the Invention

Like this, as shown in FIG. 12, the terminal apparatuses 30 according tothe embodiment includes a display unit 100 for screen-displaying variousinformation, a game process unit 116 for executing a game process fordisplaying game data on the display unit 100 and performing a gameduring which a game value (an acquired point, an acquired item, or thelike) is acquirable, an image process unit 122 for executing an imageprocess for screen-displaying image data (movie information, televisioninformation, or the like) different from the game on the display unit100, a game manipulation unit 115 with which a player is allowed toperform a game input based on the game data displayed on the displayunit 100, and a game value storage unit 111 (a storage unit) for storingimage watching item data associated with an image watching item, in acase where the game process unit 116 executes a game process foracquiring the image watching item during the performing of the game inaccordance with a game input of the game manipulation unit 115, whereinthe image process unit 122 is allowed to screen-display the image dataon the display unit based on the image watching item data stored in thegame value storage unit 111.

According to the construction, in the terminal apparatus 30, byselecting the image process with the process selection unit 124, it ispossible to screen-display on the display unit 110 the image datadifferent from the game data screen-displayed by the game process unit116. By doing so, for example, in a case where the player performing thegame in a long time wants to make refreshment, the player sees the imagedifferent from the game, so that the player may be able to makerefreshment in a shorter time than a conventional method of temporarilystopping the game and taking a rest. In addition, since the image can beseen based on the image watching item or the point acquired during theperforming of the game, a fee required for seeing the image can be paidwith the game value acquired during the performing of the game, so thatit may be possible to further increase pleasure of the game.

In the game machine 1 according to the embodiment includes a pluralityof terminal apparatuses 30 having the aforementioned construction; and agame-machine main body 20 which can communicates data with the terminalapparatuses 30 and manages operations of the terminal apparatuses 30 inorder that the game processes executed in the respective game-machineterminal apparatuses 30 can be interlocked over all the game-machineterminal apparatuses 30. According to the construction, since the gameprocess can be performed with a plurality of the terminal apparatuses 30interlocked, it may be possible to perform the game while specificterminal apparatuses 30 cooperate with or compete against each other.

In addition, the game method according to the embodiment includes a gameprocess step of screen-displaying game data on the display unit andperforming a game during which a game value is acquirable; an imageprocess step of screen-displaying image data different from the game; aprocess selection step of selecting the game process step and the imageprocess step; and an image process selection step of screen-displayingthe image data based on image watching item data associated with animage watching item acquired during the performing of the game.

According to the construction, for example, in a case where the playerperforming the game in a long time wants to make refreshment, the playersees the image different from the game, so that the player may be ableto make refreshment in a shorter time than a conventional method oftemporarily stopping the game and taking a rest. In addition, since theimage can be seen based on the image watching item acquired during theperforming of the game, a fee required for seeing the image can be paidwith the game value acquired during the performing of the game, so thatit may be possible to further increase pleasure of the game.

Modified Examples of the Embodiments

Although the embodiments of the present invention are described, thepresent invention is not limited thereto. For example, although thecases where an order of a meal or a beverage is placed by a pushingmanipulation using the touch panel 76 are described in the embodiments,the order may be placed by using switches (not shown) in the inputmanipulation unit 72. In addition, although the lottery candidate datafor the movie or the like designated with the prices below the acquiredpoint is extracted and displayed in the embodiments, all the lotterycandidate data may be screen-displayed and the insufficient portion ofthe acquired point may be paid with coins or coupons.

While this invention has been described in conjunction with the specificembodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives,modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in theart. Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of the invention as setforth above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Variouschanges may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention as defined in the following claims.

1. A game-machine terminal apparatus comprising: a display unit forscreen-displaying various image data; a game process unit for executinga game process for displaying game data on the display unit andperforming a game during which a game value is acquirable; an imageprocess unit for executing an image process for screen-displaying imagedata different from the game on the display unit; a process selectionunit for selecting the game process of the game process unit and theimage process of the image process unit; a game manipulation unit withwhich a player is allowed to perform a game input based on the game datadisplayed on the display unit; and a storage unit for storing imagewatching item data associated with an image watching item, in a casewhere the game process unit executes a game process for acquiring theimage watching item during the performing of the game in accordance witha game input of the game manipulation unit, wherein the image processunit is allowed to screen-display the image data on the display unitbased on the image watching item data stored in the storage unit.
 2. Agame-machine terminal apparatus comprising: a display unit forscreen-displaying various image data; a game process unit for executinga game process for displaying game data on the display unit andperforming a game during which a game value is acquirable; an imageprocess unit for executing an image process for screen-displaying imagedata different from the game on the display unit; a process selectionunit for selecting the game process of the game process unit and theimage process of the image process unit; a game manipulation unit withwhich a player is allowed to perform a game input based on the game datadisplayed on the display unit; and a storage unit for storing point dataassociated with a point in a case where the game process unit executes agame process for acquiring the point during the performing of the gamein accordance with a game input of the game manipulation unit, whereinthe image process unit is allowed to screen-display the image data onthe display unit based on the point data stored in the storage unit. 3.The game-machine terminal apparatus according to claim 1, furthercomprising: a game counter for counting a game time in which the gameprocess is continuously executed; and a rest alarm unit for outputtingrest data in a case where the game time is a predetermined time.
 4. Thegame-machine terminal apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the restalarm unit outputs the rest data to the display unit and displays,through the screen display of the display unit, rest image data forurging the player to take a rest.
 5. The game-machine terminal apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the game process unit uses as the gamevalue an acquired point represented by numerals and an acquired itemrepresented by designs, and displays the game value data of the acquiredpoint and the acquired item on the display unit.
 6. The game-machineterminal apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the process selectionunit selects the image process of the image process unit by a pushingmanipulation on a display region of the game value data displayed on thedisplay unit.
 7. The game-machine terminal apparatus according to claim1, further comprising: a program display unit for list-displaying aplurality of program data as image process execution objects on thedisplay unit in a case where the image process is selected by theprocess selection unit; and a program selection unit for enabling theplayer to select one of a plurality of the list-displayed program dataand causing the image process unit to execute the image processcorresponding to the selected program data.
 8. The game-machine terminalapparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a food display unitfor list-displaying a plurality of food data on the display unit in acase where the image process is selected by the process selection unit;and a food selection unit for enabling the player to select one of aplurality of the list-displayed food data and placing an order of a foodcorresponding to the selected food data.
 9. A game machine comprising: aplurality of game-machine terminal apparatuses according to claim 1; anda game-machine main body which can communicate data with thegame-machine terminal apparatuses and manages operations of thegame-machine terminal apparatuses in order that the game processesexecuted in the respective game-machine terminal apparatuses can beinterlocked over all the game-machine terminal apparatuses.
 10. The gamemachine according to claim 9, wherein the game-machine main bodycomprises a main display unit for screen-displaying operational statesof all the game-machine terminal apparatuses at a position which can beseen from all the game-machine terminal apparatuses.
 11. A game methodcomprising: a game process step of screen-displaying game data andperforming a game during which a game value is acquirable; an imageprocess step of screen-displaying image data different from the game; aprocess selection step of selecting the game process step and the imageprocess step; and an image process selection step of screen-displayingthe image data based on image watching item data associated with animage watching item acquired during the performing of the game.